The Barnabas Way of Shaping Lives for Jesus: A 5-Day DevotionalExemplo

DAY 3: Launching Others

Directly or indirectly, our decisions, plans, actions, and reactions shape those around us—for better or worse. The doors of opportunity that others walk through hinge open on human shoulders. If God chooses to direct much of history through people, that means He still wants to do so through you. That’s exciting. And our friend Barnabas can show you how.

It’s amazing how crucial a role Barnabas plays when he shows up in Acts 9:26–30 to speak on behalf of Saul (now called Paul), who was previously a persecutor of Christians and is now a believer who wanted to join the disciples. The disciples were afraid of Paul because of his past. Here Barnabas makes a tiny, walk-on appearance as a next-to-nobody type of guy—just one verse—and sees the authenticity of Paul’s conversion and his potential as a preacher of the gospel of Jesus. Paul’s role in preaching the gospel hinged on Barnabas’s discernment and intervention on his behalf. Because Barnabas intervened, Paul was received and was launched into Christian ministry in Jerusalem. Like Barnabas, we need to mature in discernment to sift wisely through events, situations, decisions, and people to make good judgment calls that allow the message of Jesus to go forward. Even persecutors of God have opportunities with God. Barnabas believed that. The gospel of Jesus Christ can grab anyone: that neighbor, that family member, that work colleague. Anyone!

Fulfilling the Great Commission is also a group effort that requires working selflessly toward God’s vision. Barnabas, through his intervention on behalf of Paul, his generosity to the local church, and his willingness to join hands with others and Jesus to build His church embodies this selflessness.

There is a basic scriptural belief that there is potential in the people around you. Those around you have not only sacred worth but staggering, God-given potential. A believer like Barnabas seeks to draw that out of others. They have a helpful voice—so listen. They are gifted—use them. They add to the task at hand—partner with them. Team up and collaborate with those God has placed beside you. This is what it means to function as the Body of Christ.

Acts 11:19–30 shows Barnabas as the leader of the first church that strategically planned to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. He was key right at the beginning of this global move to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth (see Matthew 28:18–20). God was driving this move through the activities of the Holy Spirit, through persecution and hardship, but also through regular people like Barnabas—and you and me (see Acts 11:19, 21, 24).

We’ve already seen that Barnabas influenced those around him from wherever God placed him. He was willing to step into whatever role God placed before him, and his reputation as an obedient, discerning, humble servant of the gospel gave him opportunities to make disciples and inspire other believers to serve the God he loved. A key qualification in the Scriptures for a godly influencer—be it a servant leader in a ministry or an everyday believer wanting to shape those around them—is godly character. When character, competence, and convictions merge in an individual, you have the makings of an authentic influencer.

Respond

Where do you need to be more open to God building in you the character that allows you to serve Him in whatever role He provides?

How can you choose to see the potential in those around you the way God does—despite their obvious failures? Who comes to mind?

How can you engage with other believers to draw out their potential and work toward God’s plan for their lives?

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, that you want to use me for your kingdom. I submit my will to your vision for the world. Build in me the godly character needed to serve selflessly and to see and draw out the potential in your people for your service. May I be an encouragement to your Body and sensitive to the leading of your Holy Spirit. Amen.